The Solace Project

The Solace Project is the name of our befriending service. At the heart of our project is a desire to reduce loneliness by encouraging and supporting socially isolated women in Edinburgh.

Volunteering as a befriender is a great way to make a positive impact on your community and to enrich your own life by serving others. Listening is a key part of walking alongside our women as they learn to trust and to help them feel more connected and valued.

Interested in being befriended?

We believe that connecting with one of our befrienders can help to reduce your feelings of loneliness and isolation and can improve your confidence and self-esteem.

If you, or someone you know, fits the Sparkle Sisters criteria - being affected in some way by homelessness within the past 12 months, and/or are survivors of abuse of any kind, and could do with a friendly face to chat to and do everyday life with - then we would love to hear from you. 

For more information, or if you are interested in having a befriender -  feel free to fill in the registration or contact form and our Solace Project Coordinator will be in touch soon.

Interested in becoming a befriender?

Fill out the contact form and our Solace Project Coordinator will be in touch to have an initial conversation followed by an informal interview process and, if agreed to proceed, an application form is to be completed. As mentioned above mandatory training will also be undertaken before becoming a volunteer.

  • A relationship between two or more individuals which is initiated, supported, and monitored by Sparkle Sisters.

    It involves spending regular time face-to-face with a woman who has potentially experienced trauma in her life through a number of possible factors including abuse, addiction and/or homelessness. It's an opportunity to share hobbies, interests and experiences.

    There is no expectation to be a counsellor or expert but simply to be a friend!

  • Be sociable and interested in helping others

    Good communication and listening skills

    Reliable and able to commit as promised

    18 + and female

    A woman of Christian faith, able to commit to our statement of faith and rooted in a Christian community

  • PVG check and provide references

    Completion of mandatory induction training

    We ask for a commitment of face to face contact at least once every 2 weeks

    On being accepted as a befriender we look for a commitment of 1 year